Having a break from Arimidex / Has anyone experienced any withdrawal side effects?

I previously tried Tamoxifen, for just over a year, had dreadful side effects, so was changed to Arimidex in April.  I had one week of feeling great between the two.  Initially I did not think the Arimidex was that bad, but over a period of 5 months I seemed to gradually get every side effect listed, horribly high blood pressure was a worry, and I was ready to be admitted to an aged care facility... at 55 years of age.  My joints have very very slowly been improving in the 2 months I have been off Arimidex. I am still on anti inflammatory Mobic 15mg daily.  I have just had an ultrasound on my shoulder that showed a rupture, capsulitis, tendonitis, bursitis.  I feel like the tendonitis is systemic, so will chase that up with gp. I have been unable to exercise without my body objecting.  I guess that if I equate to feeling like an 85 year old 2 months ago, I now feel like a 75 year old.  I also have Hashimoto's thyroid, so that may influence the bad reaction to Arimidex.  I also have 2 facet joints fusing in my spine, and this was not helped by the joint pains, and is now improving.  My specialist has opted to leave me off medication as the medical risks on it were more dangerous for me than being off it.  I will have to be vigilent.

That's a bugger that the break hasn't reduced the joint pains - I am the same, having had arthritis since menopause.  :(  I reckon the AIs have drastically exacerbated it!  :(   Hands, knees, hips and feet in particular.  (I guess that makes it almost all of me!  LOL)

@arpie, good to hear the magic oil helps.  My joint pain has not subsided since having the break from Arimidex from early September.  I may as well just go back on it when the 3 month break in early December ends!  Can't be certain, but I think the AI's have accelerated my osteo arthritis condition in many of my joints.  Oh the joys of living in discomfort and broken sleep!  
Last year I trialed Letrozole for 6 months, and that was the worst and my joints never seemed to recover from that.  If only I could stay positive like my name suggests..... wishing thinking I guess.

I’ve been on it without a break for nearly 2 years now and found it not as bad as Letrozole (lasted 6 weeks) and Exemestane (lasted 6 months with a break towards the end.) Maybe I am just ‘used to’ the side effects now tho .... I am still taking the magic oil, so think that is definitely helping my body cope ....

Bumping this to see if anyone else has had any side effects when having a break from an AI.

I have now had 2 weeks break from Arimidex, but have not felt any difference in joint pain.  @msg132 good to hear that tamoxifen is working better for you.  

My fingers were very stiff after 5 months to f latrezole and after 8 months my oncologist shifted me to tamoxifen- I feel my joins are better within a week. I did not have a break though 
shifted straight away 

Hope it works for you, take it easy...

@Cathyw I am having a 3 month break from Arimidex because my arthritis has worsened, and will see if the break alleviates the joint pain somewhat.  I have been on an AI for close to three years, with only one 6 week break, so now hoping the 3 month break will show marked improvement.

YEs, it seems to be different effects for everyone...Hopefully arimidex will be ok for you. Best wishes.